The M25 has reopened near the Dartford Crossing after it was closed for SEVEN hours following a serious HGV crash, but delays remain.

Emergency services, including police, fire, ambulance and air ambulance were called to the scene of a crash involving two lorries on the M25 at junction 31 for Thurrock at around 2.20pm yesterday (Tuesday, August 28).

The road was immediately closed to traffic, with Essex Police revealing that the area was going to remain closed for several hours due to "the complexity of the recovery".

The Dartford Crossing was also closed through the night as vehicles waited for hours in traffic to be diverted away from the scene.

On Tuesday evening, it was also revealed that extensive resurfacing work would then be required before the road could be reopened this morning.

Partial reopening

(Image: Dean Johns)

Shortly before 9pm, a Highways England spokesman wrote on Twitter: “As HGV recovery work has been sufficiently completed to do so, the #M25 clockwise approach to #Dartford has now been partially reopened.

“The closure remains between J30 and J31, however traffic can now pass via the adjacent feeder lanes, which were blocked by the HGV.

“There are still severe delays on the clockwise approach from J28, and also on the anti-clockwise approach to #Dartford.

“Resurfacing work will now be required in order to reopen the main carriageway, which will take several more hours.”

By 9.30pm, traffic stretched back on the clockwise carriageway for 12 miles.

The Dancing Queen of the M25

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

One driver decided to break up the monotony of the traffic jam by having a little boogie by her car.

She was captured on film by Bruce Lawrence who was sat just behind her in the queuing traffic.

Alongside the video, he wrote: "The M25 has become an impromptu dance venue!!"

Needless to say, the driver provided some much-needed entertainment for those stuck in the standstill traffic.

Late-night update

(Image: Highways England)

Shortly before 11pm, a Highways England spokesman tweeted: “Severe delays remain on the #M25 clockwise between J28-J30 due to ongoing recovery & resurfacing works which have closed the road between J30-J31.

“We’re anticipating the road will remain closed throughout the night for essential resurfacing.”